Tag: vegan

Discover the Delicious World of Vegan Crackers: A Healthy Snack Option

Ricardo Davis

– Some crackers may not be suitable for a vegan diet as they often contain dairy products to enhance flavor, color, and texture.
– Dairy-based seasonings, such as cheese, onion, nacho, ranch, sour cream, and barbecue, are frequently used in crackers.
– However, there are many vegan cracker brands available, or at least some vegan flavors within certain brands.
– It is important to check the sodium content of pre-packaged crackers, as they often have high sodium levels.
– Savory snacks, including crackers, contribute to about 40% of the sodium consumed by Americans.
– To maintain a balanced diet, sodium intake should be kept below the daily value level of 20%.
– Some crackers may contain trace amounts of dairy in their seasoning blends, specifically from whey solids, so it is important to check the ingredient label.
– Added sugar is commonly found in pre-packaged foods, including vegan crackers. The American Heart Association recommends a limit of around 6-9 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
– Saturated fat, which can be high in pre-packaged foods like crackers, should be consumed in moderation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming less than 10% of daily calories from saturated fat.
– Some top picks for vegan crackers include Doctor In The Kitchen – Organic Flax Seed Crackers, Flackers Organic – Cinnamon & Currant Flax Seed Crackers, Mary’s Gone Crackers Herb, and Mary’s Gone Crackers Organic Everything Super Seed. These crackers have high nutritional value, little to no processing, and low carbon and water footprints. They also have low saturated fat and added sugar content.
– Lundberg Family Farms – Organic Lightly Salted Wild Rice Cakes: Nutritional value: Certified Vegan, 1g of saturated fat, 219mg of sodium, and 0g of added sugar per serving. Processing: Unprocessed or minimally processed. Ingredients: Organic Whole Grain Brown Rice, Organic Wild Rice, Sea Salt. GreenScore®: 5.0 stars (5 reviews), contains dietary fiber (4% DV).
– Simple Mills – Cracked Black Pepper Almond Flour Crackers: Nutritional value: Certified Vegan, 0g of saturated fat, 25mg of sodium, and 0g of added sugar per serving. Processing: Unprocessed or minimally processed. Ingredients: Nut and Seed Flour Blend (Almonds, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds). GreenScore®: 79/100, contains dietary fiber (not specified).
– Majans Snack Nibbles – Bhuja Cracker Mix: Nutritional value: Certified Vegan, 0g of saturated fat, 180mg of sodium, and 0g of added sugar per serving. Processing: Moderately processed. Ingredients: Multigrain Noodles (Yellow Peas, Chick Peas, Sunflower Oil, Rice, Potato, Tapioca, Sesame, Salt, Cumin), Rice Crackers (Rice, Soy Sauce, Cane Sugar, Tapioca, Sesame, Seaweeds, Chilli), Green Peas, Peanuts, Chick Peas, Sultanas, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Spices (Turmeric, Chillies, Paprika), Maltodextrin, Cane Sugar, Vegetable Powder. GreenScore®: 82/100, contains dietary fiber (7% DV).
– Crunchmaster – Sea Salt Protein Snack Crackers: Nutritional value: 0g of saturated fat, 170mg of sodium, and 1g of added sugar per serving. Processing: Moderately processed. Ingredients: Brown rice flour, garbanzo flour, brown rice protein, sesame seeds, potato starch, safflower oil, sea salt. GreenScore®: 77/100, contains dietary fiber (7% DV).
– Real Food From The Ground Up – Cauliflower Crackers Sea Salt: Nutritional value: 0g of saturated fat, 170mg of sodium, and 0g of added sugar per serving. Processing: Moderately processed. Ingredients: Cauliflower flour, wholegrain rice flour, cassava flour, potato starch, rice flour, potato flakes, cassava starch, rspo palm oil, salt, sugar, baking powder, rice fibers, sunflower lecithin. GreenScore®: Not specified.
– Nabisco’s Premium Saltine Crackers and Christie’s Premium Plus Crackers in Canada are vegan-friendly, certified by PETA. Sunshine Krispy Saltine Crackers and Keebler Saltine Crackers, produced by Kellogg’s, are also vegan. All of these brands have similar ingredients, including enriched flour, soybean oil, salt, and baking soda. There are also variations like unsalted and whole wheat options available.

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Does Caesar Dressing Have Dairy? Nutritional Facts and Alternatives

Ricardo Davis

– Caesar dressing is typically not dairy-free.
– The article provides a recipe for a dairy-free Caesar dressing that is also gluten-free and vegan.
– The dressing can be made in under 10 minutes.
– The recipe requires 11 total ingredients.
– Fresh ingredients like lemon juice and garlic are recommended for better taste.
– The dressing is made by blending all the ingredients in a blender or food processor.
– Just Mayo is suggested as the preferred vegan mayo for the dressing.
– Traditional Caesar dressing is made with Parmesan cheese, so it is not safe for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.
– Bottled Caesar dressings in supermarkets are generally gluten-free, but it’s still necessary to read the label.
– It’s important to choose gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and check the Parmesan cheese label when making Caesar dressing at home.
– Caesar dressing may contain malt vinegar derived from barley, which contains gluten.
– Caesar dressings usually contain Parmesan cheese or other forms of dairy, making them unsuitable for those avoiding dairy.
– Eggs are a key ingredient in Caesar dressing for its creamy texture, but alternatives like vegan mayonnaise or silken tofu can be used for those with egg allergies or following a vegan diet.
– Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty flavor to Caesar dressing, but nutritional yeast can be used as a substitute for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
– Olive oil is the primary oil used in Caesar dressing.
– Spices such as garlic, black pepper, and anchovies are used to add flavor to Caesar dressing.
– Anchovies can be omitted or substituted with capers for a vegetarian or vegan version.
– Caesar dressing is high in calories, with one serving containing around 160 calories.
– One serving of Caesar dressing contains around 17 grams of fat.
– Caesar dressing is high in sodium, with one serving containing around 320 milligrams of sodium.
– It is not a significant source of protein, with one serving containing less than one gram of protein.
– One serving of Caesar dressing contains around 20 milligrams of calcium.
– It is high in cholesterol, with one serving containing around 30 milligrams of cholesterol.
– Homemade variations of Caesar dressing can be made to suit different dietary needs.
– Caesar dressing is suitable for different diets such as the keto diet, paleo diet, and Whole30 diet if it is made with high-quality ingredients and is free from added sugars, preservatives, dairy, gluten, and other non-compliant ingredients.
– Primal Kitchen is a brand that makes Caesar dressing suitable for these diets.
– The history of Caesar dressing is unclear, but it is believed to have been created by Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American restaurateur, who made the salad with romaine lettuce, garlic, croutons, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, raw egg, and Worcestershire sauce.
– Some gluten-free Caesar dressing brands include Marie’s and Cardini’s.
– There are dairy-free options for Caesar dressing, such as vegan Parmesan cheese or making your own dressing using non-dairy milk and nutritional yeast.
– Vegan Caesar dressing options include dressings that use ingredients like tofu, cashews, or non-dairy milk as a base.
– Gluten and dairy-free salad dressing brands include Tessemae’s, Primal Kitchen, and Annie’s.

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Mushroom Protein: Unlocking the Nutritional Secrets of Fungi

Ricardo Davis

– The healthiest mushrooms have a higher fiber-to-sugar ratio, indicating they contain more fiber in relation to sugar.
– Chanterelle mushrooms have the highest fiber content per weight.
– Enoki mushrooms possess the highest fiber-to-sugar ratio.
– Healthy mushrooms also tend to have higher amounts of potassium compared to sodium.
– Maitake mushrooms have the lowest sodium-to-potassium ratio.
– All the healthiest mushrooms on the list have excellent sodium-to-potassium scores.
– Mushrooms are low in calories but high in micronutrient density, including minerals, B-vitamins, and vitamin D.
– Mushrooms provide protein-dense foods that can add flavor to meals.
– Mushrooms, like oyster mushrooms, are complete proteins that contain all nine essential amino acids.
– Mushroom mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, is being researched as a versatile source of protein.
– Mushrooms are a low-carb, low-calorie source of protein, fiber, and nutrients.
– The protein and carb content in mushrooms vary depending on the species.
– Mushrooms are not a nutritional substitute for meat as they have less protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
– Mushroom proteins are rich in leucine and lysine, essential amino acids not found in many plant-based foods.
– Mushrooms are an excellent addition to a vegetarian or vegan diet due to their beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
– Mushrooms are not a protein replacement on their own, but when combined with other vegetable protein sources, such as beans, soy, or nuts, they provide all necessary protein.
– However, mushrooms are similar in quality to animal proteins and can make people feel fuller for longer.
– Some vegetables contain more protein than mushrooms, but mushrooms contain essential amino acids that most other plant-based proteins lack.
– In a 3.5 oz (100g) serving, the protein content of various vegetables is as follows: lentils (9g), black beans (8.9g), peas (5.4g), spinach (2.9g), broccoli (2.8g), baked potato (2.1g), and carrots (0.9g).
– When comparing different types of mushrooms, protein content varies. Oyster mushrooms have the highest protein content at 3.3g per 3.5 oz (100g) serving. Morel mushrooms have 3.1g of protein per serving, and white button mushrooms have 3.1g as well. Enoki mushrooms contain 2.7g of protein per 100g serving.
– Cremini mushrooms contain 2.5g of protein per 100g serving.
– Shiitake mushrooms contain 2.2g of protein per 100g serving.
– Portobello mushrooms contain 2.1g of protein per 100g serving.
– Maitake mushrooms contain 1.9g of protein per 100g serving.
– Chanterelle mushrooms contain 1.5g of protein per 100g serving.
– Mushrooms are a good source of high-quality protein but should be combined with other high-protein foods.
– Mushrooms are nutritious and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
– They are considered functional foods that provide health benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer, boosting the immune system, lowering blood pressure, protecting the brain, promoting gut health, and supporting weight loss.
– Studies show that regularly consuming mushrooms can boost the immune system and reduce the risk of cancer.

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Freezing tofu: a guide to maximize its texture

Ricardo Davis

– Freezing tofu produces a spongy texture.
– This method was originally used in China and Japan to preserve tofu during winter.
– Tofu is 86% water.
– Freezing tofu causes ice crystals to expand and separate the protein network.
– When thawed, the water drains away, leaving behind a spongy and absorbent texture.
– Frozen tofu absorbs sauce readily when stir-fried.
– Frozen tofu has a resilient and slightly chewy texture.
– Frozen tofu forms a nice crust when deep-fried.
– To freeze tofu, slice it into slabs and spread them in a single layer.
– Frozen tofu can be stored for up to a month.
– Thaw frozen tofu to room temperature.
– Press frozen tofu to remove remaining water before cooking.

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